Emanuel: G8 protesters have rights but so do I

Protesters expected to descend on Chicago for the NATO and G8 meetings that will bring international leaders to Chicago this spring will have a chance to air their grievances, but order will be maintained in the city, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said today.

Recent meetings by the Group of Eight industrialized nations and other global economic groups elsewhere in the world have drawn tens of thousands of sometimes violent protesters. In May, Chicago will become the first city since London in 1977 to host both the G8 and NATO leaders simultaneously.

Activists have begun planning two large-scale protests and a march during the summits, and Emanuel was asked about complaints the city has not done enough to cooperate with demonstrators.

“As you know, I happen to think that regardless of whether you agree with the actual policy recommendations, that what is out there is an angst about middle class, working and middle class, holding onto their economic security for themselves and their children,” the mayor said during a news conference with Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy following an unrelated event.

“And people have the right – which I believe firmly in – of expressing themselves, and their First Amendment right needs to be protected. And that will never be infringed on.”But Emanuel said he also plans to keep control.

“I also, correctly, have the right – which is what makes this a city and a society – to enforce the law and to protect the law. And both of those will be done correctly. And we will do it both as we have for the past, and will do it also as we come up to the event,” he said.

Emanuel also said he’s sorry if people who have planned events like weddings downtown while the meetings are going on might be inconvenienced or forced to reschedule because of the crowds, traffic and security concerns.

“If there’s an active inconvenience, I’ll say I’m sorry. I apologize,” he said. “It’s a one-time opportunity for the city, and I think everybody understands the big upside there is to our city’s economic activity, job creation.”

“We are a big city, a big metropolitan area. People will be able to be accommodated with their events,” Emanuel said.